The sky...

I have been obsessed with the sky lately. I take pictures with my phone everywhere I go! I guess, because it is a constant reminder of how much I love where I live and how much my Heavenly Father loves us.  Such beauty!  How lucky are we?!

Teeth...

Mara had 4 teeth pulled yesterday.  Let's just say, her teeth are a mess, but this is all in the grand plan to someday have a beautiful smile.

 Driving home, she didn't say much.  Well, she was still a lilttle high and had gauze in her mouth!

 Here are the teeth!  Who knew the roots were so long on baby teeth. 

Sleeping off the laughing gas!  I'll admit, I asked the doctor if I could have so too.  He said, "no".  Bummer!

I had no idea...

My little Mara got baptized this past weekend.  I have never been more proud.  I had no idea the intensity of watching your own child be baptized.  The flood of emotions a mother has when her daughter receives the gift of the Holy Ghost is overwhelming.  I feel almost like I received a gift in that as well.  As if there is a partnership now and there WILL always be someone watching over her even when I can't.  What an amazing blessing.  AND...... IT SNOWED THAT DAY!!!!!!! Which is a big deal right now, since it's been the warmest and driest winter on record!  And, Mara asked for snow in prayer that week.  I think her prayer was answered.  What a perfectly beautiful day to snow! All was clean, white and beautiful. 

Mara and B on their way over to the church to get dressed.  Thank you B for baptizing our daughter.  She adores you and so do I. 

 Mara and Grandma MK

 B and my Uncle Kurt

 Vicki and Shar.... 2 of my fav's!

 Crazy cousin Sierra!

And the food was YUMMY and fattening!  (Don't kill me Chiara!  I LOVE this pic!)

 Papa and Mara (Papa did the confirmation)  Thank you!

 So proud of her!

 Shar, Me and Aly!  LOVE YOU BOTH!

 Blurry pic of 3 generations!  My mom, me and Mara!

 After the baptism and confirmation.

We had so many of our family and friends surrounding her.  She skipped everywhere she went that day!  Even to share her testimony the next day at church.  She is confident, happy and full of the spirit!  NOTHING could have stopped her!  Grandma Cindy came from New York and spent 5 days with us at our home. It was wonderful and I cried as I dropped her off this morning.  She is loved more than she'll ever know.  Thank you, Mom for coming.

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Thank you to all the family and friends who gave her such amazing words of hope and being there to show your support and set an example.  You will never know how much it meant to her and to myself and B.  Love you all so much! 

Congratulations Mara!

New Year...

For the first time in almost 6 years, I closed a year saying to myself, "We made it and it was a good year for my family. A really good year."  I can't say that about any year since 2006.  Since 2006, we have dealt with health issues that have almost taken the lives of both William and B, financial issues that have made it hard to even buy milk (I at one point stole money from Mara's piggy bank to buy milk.  I'll pay you back Mara bean.) and family issues that have almost destroyed our family.  BUT, we made it.  We are better for it.  There have been times in last 5 years where I have lost hope over and over again.  Can't get out of bed hope.  There were moments when I was even scared to smile.  Yes, scared.  Because if I smiled, then that would mean I was happy and if I was happy, then something bad would happen, because it always did.  I got to a point where I was sick of hearing people say, "You poor Elggren's.  What else are you going to have to deal with?!"  Like I hadn't asked myself that 10 bagillion times?!

The other night, I was worrying about something and B looked at me said, "Stop trying to figure out the meaning of life.  It will come and it will be great.  But, only if you let be great."  He then kissed my head and tucked me into bed.  I love that man.  I tell him at least 30 times a day.

2012- It is what it is.  What will happen will happen.  So, here it is.  My resolution.  No one can stop me from smiling and living life to the fullest.  I want to be the best I can EVERYDAY!  I found this quote on Pinterest of course, and I LOVE it.  It is exactly what I would say.

And to end, I spent New Year's Eve with some of my very favorite people.  People who have helped me up when I couldn't stand.  People who have given when they haven't needed to, but wanted to.  People who haved made me laugh so hard, I thought I would pass out.  People who loved me and my family more than I thought a friend could. People who have taught me to look at the world and people from a completely different and beautiful perspective.  People who have taught me that it really is ok to be me and that it really is ok to be happy.  So, thank you Erica, Emily, Vicki, Paul, Charles, Ben and all the kiddos!  LOVE YOU ALL!!!!  Here's to a wonderful New Year!

Dear Mara...

Dear Mara,
You just turned 8 and I am wondering where the time has gone.  We were saying goodbye this morning as you left for school and you that you would be able to drive in 8 more years!  Oh good heavens!  That will be the day!
Mara, you have brought so much love to our family!  You have been an example beyond your years.  You have brought a spirit in our home that did not exist before you came into our lives.  A spirit that is straight from heaven. I love when you smile, laugh, do back bends, hand stands color, read, create and play the piano.  I laugh every time you make a face with those "bunny teeth" and I smile at the excitement you have to get spacers and braces!  I love to hear all that you have to say about EVERYTHING, all the time.  I love that you follow me around, watch me get ready for the day and then sit or stand right next to me like we are connected with Velcro at our sides. I love that you are sensitive and strong.  You are beautiful inside and out. An amazing friend, sister, daughter.

Don't be in such a hurry to grow up! It will come faster than you know. Savor these moments of your childhood. They are what make you who you are and will be.
I'm proud that you have chosen to be baptized and I cannot wait to see you in white!  My camera will be ready!
Always, Always, Always remember how much your Daddy and I love you.  Remember to be best friends with your brother and sister and to help them grow and be strong in all that they do. 
I am Proud to call you my daughter and Honored to have you call me Mom.
Happy Happy birthday Mara Bean!
Love,
Mom

Beautiful memories...

William turned 6 on the 22nd.  WOW!  6.  I remember the Christmas Eve that I got to bring him home like it was yesterday.  He has gotten so big and I am so honored to be his mom.  A lot has happened in his short 6 years and I sincerely hope that the next 6 are full of just as many crazy beautiful memories.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my William!

 He went out with Dad the night before to a Jazz game and got this jersey.  He also got 2 autographs on it!  Love the smile.

 Standing by his decorated door. 

 Opening presents at 630 in the morning!

 Silly faces!

Star Wars robe!

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THEN CAME CHRISTMAS!

~Spence Family Christmas party at Roger and Megan's.

~Pajama party at Grandma and Papa's on Christmas Eve, including our annual visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus

~Christmas Day dinner at my home.

It came went left too quickly.  I love this time of year and try to make it stretch, but never seem to be able to. At some point the decorations have to come down and the spirit of the season goes away with the dawning of a new year.  We had church on Christmas Day this year and I loved it!  I wish we could go to church every Christmas. When I was little, we would go to my grandma's church for midnight mass.  It was full of the story of Christmas and beautiful music.  This year was no different, church filled my heart with beautiful music and reminded us that Christmas morning is NOT about the presents, but the presence... of Christ in our lives.  This was the message from our bishop this year.  I am actively writing down my new years resolutions and remembering the true meaning of Christmas and cherishing it throughout the year will be one of them.

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and here's to a fabulous New Year!

 My uncles Rob, Dave, Kurt, Brad and Roger

 B and me... this house brings back so many memories!  Thank you Roger and Megan!

 Making Gingerbread "outhouses" with the cousins!

 Impromptu Feliz Navidad with the parents!

 SANTA!

Christmas Morning!

Nutcracker...

This week, Mara and I went to see Ballet West's The Nutcracker.  It's been a couple of years since I have seen it, but it is just as I remembered it.  I used to go every year growing up.  Mara LOVED it!  Her favorite part was of course, "The woman (or should we say man) with lots of kids and a really big dress."   My favorite are the russian guys!  And of course I loved dressing up and spending this evening with her.  I adore her and I adore the music and beautiful dancing.  It is so much fun and I hope to carry on this tradition with my family.

 At dinner with Mara. Olive Garden of course!  (It's her favorite.)

9 rows from the stage, right in the center!  Best seats ever!